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2007 Internet Crime Report

According to the 2007 Internet Crime Report, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 206,884 complaints of crimes perpetrated over the Internet during 2007. Of the complaints received, more than 90,000 were referred to law enforcement around the nation, amounting to nearly $240 million in reported losses. This represents a $40 million increase in reported losses from complaints referred to law enforcement in 2006. All complaints received by IC3 are accessible to federal, state, and local law enforcement to support active investigations, trend analysis, and public outreach and awareness efforts.

“The Internet presents a wealth of opportunity for would be criminals to prey on unsuspecting victims, and this report shows how extensive these types of crime have become,” said FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director James E. Finch. “What this report does not show is how often this type of activity goes unreported. Filing a complaint through IC3 is the best way to alert law enforcement authorities of Internet crime.”

first published week of:   04/07/2008

Akron, Ohio, Earns Top Honors for Innovative Use of GIS Technology

The City of Akron Public Utilities Bureau stood out from more than 300,000 organizations worldwide that use Geographic Information System (GIS) software to make a difference in the world. ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) will present the bureau with a Special Achievement in GIS Award at its 28th Annual International User Conference in San Diego, California.

“ESRI recognizes the passion of our very special users with our Special Achievement in GIS award,” says Jack Dangermond, ESRI president. “The effectiveness of these people to infuse our technology into their real world contexts creates meaning for our efforts. For this we are grateful.”

Details Here: www.govtech.com/gt/articles/323912

first published week of:   05/19/2008

Alabama Emergency Management System Achieves National Accreditation

Alabama has become one of only 16 states to achieve the nation's highest accreditation standard when it comes to emergency preparedness and response. To achieve accreditation, Alabama documented compliance with 58 standards and underwent a peer review assessment by Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) examiners.

“This achievement is a clear demonstration of the high priority we place on protecting Alabama citizens," said Governor Bob Riley. "During the past few years, we've built a first-rate, comprehensive system for handling emergencies and disasters. I commend our Alabama Emergency Management Agency and emergency preparedness teams all across the state for this major milestone.”

“I’m so proud of what my staff has accomplished and it has taken a lot of work to achieve EMAP accreditation,” said Alabama Emergency Management Director Brock Long. “I also want the residents of Alabama to know how serious AEMA views the goal of making sure the residents of Alabama are safe.”

Details Here: www.govtech.com/gt/articles/305201?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=link

first published week of:   04/28/2008

Anyone know where that water main went?

When Riverside Public Works employees need to pinpoint exactly where a water or sewer pipe is located under the streets of the village, they literally have to travel back in time. The information they are looking for is among the pages and pages of utility maps drawn in 1936 and then updated in the 1950s and 1970s. But the information is sometimes incomplete or inaccurate.

Longtime employees are counted on to provide institutional memory in cases where the maps fail to deliver, but that method has its obvious limitations. “We rely a lot on staff and institutional knowledge” said Nathan Thiel, the assistant to Riverside’s director of public works. ’When they retire, the knowledge goes with them.”

Sometimes the institutional memory can be fuzzy as well. Knowledge that has been passed down through generations of public works employees can sometimes be inaccurate. Many times, it’s simply incomplete.

Details Here: www.rblandmark.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=3352&TM=82873.02

first published week of:   01/14/2008

Binghamton NY signs new GIS deal with county

As part of their crime-fighting plan, Binghamton Police installed cameras at hand-picked locations last year throughout the city. They’ll now have access to a map that can pinpoint the most crime-ridden areas, which means more cameras and detailed strategy.

“Within the next week or two, I’m going to be giving my administrative staff some reports showing density maps, where the calls were, what time of day, the day of the week and that would help us greatly in allocating our manpower more efficiently,” said Binghamton Police Chief Joe Zikuski.

The advanced maps are part of the new Geographic Information System, or GIS. Broome County already subscribed to the service, but the newly-penned deal now includes the city.

Details Here: news10now.com/content/all_news/117299/binghamton-signs-new-gis-deal-with-county/Default.aspx

first published week of:   06/09/2008

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